Luxury on Lake Como – Villa d’Este
Trip Over to Lake Como
During our 3 weeks staying in Como the weather was generally perfect – cool, crisp, sunny spring days, but even on the couple of rainy days it was still perfect and didn’t stop us from getting out and about. The rain was never the umbrella type while we were outside – just the hat and coat variety.
It had been suggested to us that it is not possible to walk around the gardens at Villa d’Este unless we were staying there, that set the day’s challenge for us……. There were low, but non-threatening clouds over Como as the ferry pulled away from the wharf heading for Cernobbio (Pronounced:- Churn-ob-yo) just 2 stops away. The ferry passes another monument to Alessandro Volta, the local lad who invented the battery a few hundred years ago, unveiled in August 2015, this steel sculpture called Life Electric:-
“Inspired by the electric tension between two poles of a battery, the great gift from Volta to the humanity” – Daniel Libeskind from the Life Electric Project.
The sculpture takes on a life of its own in the variety of lighting conditions over the lake, sometimes almost blending into the lake, other times in stark contrast. Some local residents had signed a petition to stop this sculpture being placed in the lake, but now it is there with no sign of any animosity towards it, and it provides a good vantage point to walk out to with seating under the art work, giving a different view of Como and the surrounding area.
Villa Erba can be seen from the ferry as it approaches Cernobbio wharf, one of the many Villas in Cernobbia, groups can book tours here. Most of the villas are either private, or can be booked for events. But our mission was to visit Villa D’Este with its opulent gardens and hotel.
Within a few minutes our ferry had arrived at Cernobbio Wharf and as the ferry pulled up the last of the morning market was being packed away, suddenly we were the only people left on the streets. The drizzly, misty rain and cold must have kept everyone inside for an early lunch made from the produce they had just bought from the market. Undaunted, we continued on towards our challenge………..
The gardens in the villas were all very impressive, and even without land for gardening, hanging gardens add a creative touch to a house just up the road from the Cernobbio ferry wharf.
Up at Via Regina, the main road through Cernobbio around the west side of Lake Como, a side street, Via Monte Grappa, heads through the arch way before winding its way up into the hills. I love the way the Italians don’t knock down their history to make roads, they work with it. Parking is never a problem for these tiny Italian cars, there is always room to park your Fiat or Smart car no matter how small the space. If the car fits, park it!
After turning right at Via Regina and wandering up the road looking at various restaurants, reading menus (all sounding delicious) and trying to decide which one to have lunch in, and doing a bit of window shopping as the shops were all closed for the very civilised Italian long lunch break, we reached the next bend in the road and there were the gates to Villa d’Este. The plan to have lunch somewhere before going to explore the gardens went out the window as we hadn’t realised how close it was.
As we went striding purposefully in through the entrance gates to Villa d’Este the man in the gate office came out see what we wanted, quick as a flash Christine said, “We’re having lunch at the Veranda.” (I decided the terribly elegant couple in the photo of the main gates must be staying there as they weren’t stopped). He welcomed us to Villa D’Este and wished us “Buon appetito”. That was the lunch decision made………..we were in, mission accomplished!!
Prior to 1873 Villa d’Este was a private residence with a very interesting history involving nuns, a ballerina, a Russian Czarina and British royalty, although not all at the same time. Click here to read the history of the Villa.
Following the path lined with beautifully manicured flower beds, not a petal out of place, passing Villa Cima, a lakeside private, almost Tudor looking, villa on the estate built in 1814 by the Princess of Wales to accommodate Count and Countess Pino, the former owners of the estate, after she had convinced them to sell the estate to her (it was the least she could do). It is now one of the villas hotel guests can book to stay in.
Hundreds of immaculate hydrangeas line the interior of the restaurant, and yes, they are real, I checked!!
In summer the glass windows surrounding the Veranda can be lowered down into the ground so you really are sitting out on the veranda, and more tables spill out on to the terrace closer to the lakes edge.
Lunch was exquisite, we shared many dishes so we could taste as much as possible and were waited on hand and foot as there were almost as many staff in the Veranda as there were guests. I suspect though, even if every table was full, we would still be waited on impeccably. There was someone to take our coats, a sommelier to choose our wine, then the waiter recommended we share a Salmon and Strawberry entree, we then shared Duck Cannelloni and Ameriticiana Tortoli, all served up by the waiter at the table so we didn’t have chop and transfer half making a huge mess ourselves. Then the maitre d’ flambed our Crepe Suzette at the table – this was followed by the smoothest espresso coffee I have ever had – with a hint of chocolate.
Having eaten more than enough food to give us the energy to explore the gardens, and fortunately the rain had stopped, but it was still overcast, we set off into the gardens. There are a number of restaurants and bars at Villa D’Este, we walked passed the Terrace Bar that I’m sure in summer is full of sun kissed guests enjoying an Aperol Spritz overlooking the swimming pool that floats in the lake. Next to the Veranda Restaurant you can look up through the marble gardens, up the long path that leads to the statue of Hercules hurling poor Lica into the waters below. From here you can walk over to the back of the Villa d’Este gardens to the remains of Donna Vittoria’s towers and fortifications from the early 1800s, a bygone era in the life of the estate.
The Queen’s Pavilion was added to the estate in the late 1800s with steps going down to the lake and the underpass to bring boats in if the water gets too choppy for passengers to safely disembark………After bringing the boat into the protected water under the Queen’s Pavilion passengers could walk up the steps to the estate and the boat could be kept in one of the boat parking bays underneath.
In summer Cernobbio becomes a vibrant lakeside village, with many bars and restaurants open, but not on the grey day in early spring when we visited. We were not disappointed though, far from it, and we completed the challenge – we explored the gardens at Villa d’Este without staying in the hotel. I’m not sure if it was cheating that we were forced to have lunch there to get in through the gates, but if that’s cheating, I’m all for it…………
Book a tour on your Trip Over to Lake Como
Itinerary for Trip Over to Italy – Milan, Como and Venice
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Milan (Malpensa) from Sydney via Dubai
Stayed in Milan, Airbnb, for a week before going to Como
Picked up in Milan by Como Limousines and driven to Como
Stayed in Como, Airbnb, for 3 weeks
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven to Venice
In Venice, water taxi to Al Ponte Antico Hotel for 3 nights and water taxi back
Picked up in Venice by Como Limousines and driven back to Como
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven back to Milan (Malpensa) Airport
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Sydney via Dubai
Siena Duomo, building it took from the year 1215 until1348, it is an unbelievable place, all in black and white marble, the bell tower is so high you can see it from everywhere, if you can`t see it you will be able to see the Torre del Mangia, also built by 1348, rising up out of Palazzo Pubblico in Piazza Della Campo, the main square in Siena.
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#siena #sienaduomo #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #torredelmangia #piazzadelcampo #palazzopubblico #palazzopubblicodisiena #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #solotrip #italianhistory #italytravel #italytrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind
Surfers dotted around in the ocean hoping to catch a wave out near the headland off Manly Beach in Sydney.
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#pacificocean #manlybeachaustralia #manlybeach #surfing #outintheocean #sydneyweekend #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneycoastalwalks #sydneybeaches #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
On a walk around Cremorne Point the water looked so inviting, apart from the jagged shells on the rocks on the shoreline.....
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#cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint #northshore #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #sydneylocal #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneyinsummertime #sydneywalks #sydneywaterways #sydneyaustralia #sydneynativeplants #sydneyharbourwalks #seetheworldthroughmylens
The Florence Duomo, all made of marble, hoping to go inside once the Easter crowds disappear, also hoping the Easter crowds do disappear!!
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#florence #florenceitaly #florenceduomo #firenzecityitaly #firenzeduomo #florencetravel #florencetrip #solotravelinitaly #marblebuilding #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #italianhistory #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring
On the "beach" side of the Prospect of Whitby on the River Thames. It was originally named The Pelican 800 years ago, the stairs to the river still have that name, later named The Prospect of Whitby after a ship that used to moore out the front. When I arrived at the pub the tide was lapping around the top of the steps, by the time I had finished eating, the tide had gone out completely!! I wasn`t eating for that long, and only one glass of wine!!! The water on the Thames moves fast!!
#theprospectofwhitby #pelicanstairs #pelicanstairslondon #riverthames #historicpubcrawlslondon #londonsoldestpub #londontravel #londontrip #londonlife #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historiclondon #oldlondonpub #londonwalks #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #traveladdict #travellerau #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #solotravelinlondon
At the end of my long walk, I found just what I needed, an 800 year old pub down by the Thames. Read about the walk I took to get to The Prospect of Whitby for my well deserved fish & chips, click the link in the bio.
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#theprospectofwhitby #historiclondonpub #fishandchips #londontrip #londonhistory #londonwalks #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #londonpub #london #londontravel #londonlife #londonlocals #londonsbest #londonstreets #londondaysout #traveltheworldwithme #travellerau #traveladdict #seeeverythingdoeverything
Venice streets getting a good wash in the rain, the place in the second pic is where the Rialto markets are held in the mornings.
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#rialto #rialtomarkets #venice #veniceitaly #venicelife #veniceintherain #venicearchitecture #venicestreets #explorevenice #venicewalks #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstopexporing #traveltheworldwithme #venicetrip #venicetravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
London`s oldest house, built over 400 years ago, it survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 as the Priory wall of St Bartholomew the Great across the road served as a fire break, it fortunately survived the Enrglish Civil War and both World Wars, it has been a warehouse, a factory, a shop, was threatened to be demolished in the early 1900s, but it hung on......read more about all the interesting places I found on my long walk, there is also map of route I took , click the link to my website in the bio.
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#londonsoldesthouse #farringdon #smithfield #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historiclondon #londonwalks #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonstyle #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #traveladdict #neverstopexploring #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
The other side of St John`s Gate, looking south. Pic 2 is the detail of the ceiling inside the gateway. Click on the link to my website to read about my walk and all the interesting places I found along the way. I have included a map for others who enjoy a self-guided walk.
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#stjohnsgateclerkenwell #stjohnsgate #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historiclondon #historicchurch #history #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londonwalks #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #londonstreets #londonsbest #seekandyoushallfind #traveltheworldwithme #12thcenturyarchitecture
1. The lights in Piazza San Marco.
2. The bell ringers have the best view in Venice.
3. Someone`s private bridge and gondola?! I want it to be me 💖
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#piazzasanmarco #venetiancanals #venentianlife #venice #veniceisbeautiful #venicetravel #veniceitaly #visitvenice #neverstopexploring #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstoptravelling #traveltheworldwithme
Even this Azalea bush in my front garden wants to get in on the festive Christmas look!!
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#azalea #redazalea #redazaleaflowers #festiveplants #christmasinsydney #flowersinthestreets #christmasiscoming #sydneystreets #sydneysuburbs #sydneylocal #myhometown #sydneylife #onthecommute #walktowork #seetheworldthroughmylens
On the harbour side walkway near Luna Park looking at all the Sydney icons, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Ferries.
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#sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyferries #milsonspoint #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneynorthshore #sydneyharbour #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #sydneylife #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travellerau #seetheworldthroughmylens
This is Musiara, an orphaned elephant rescued after poachers attacked her mum. There are 21 bronze sculptures created by Gillie and Marc now located in Spitalfields, London. I have a new post about them that you can read by clicking the link to my website, in the bio.
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#musiara #herdofhope #herdofhopelondon #bronzeelephants #londontravel #londonwalks #seekandyoushallfind #spitalfields #spitalfieldsmarket #london #gillieandmarcart #artinpublicplaces #bronzeelephantsculptures #sculptureoftheday #sculptureinthecity #londontrip #londonlife #solotravelerstories #solotravelinlondon #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict
David acting cool in Piazza Della Signoria, he`s not the real David. The real one by Michelangelo was taken away for safe keeping inside Galleria dell`Accademia in 1910 and this one replaced him. You are not allowed to photograph the real one. I have no idea who created this David, but I think anyone who can create a David, or even any recognisable shape out of a piece of rock is pretty skilled!!!
The second pic is a bronze sratue of Perseus having severed the head of Medusa. This one is in the Loggia dei Lanzi, just near David.
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#florence #piazzadellasignoria #loggiadeilanzi #david #michelangelo #perseusfirenze #perseuswithmedusashead #artinpublicspaces #sculptures #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
Looking across Sydney Harbour from Cremorne Point on Sydney`s North Shore.
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#sydneynorthshore #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyferries #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyharbourbridge #fortdenison #sydneycbd #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #sydneyinsummertime #sydney #sydneywalks #cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint
I spent hours wondering around the Boboli Gardens behind Pitti Palace in Florence, some of the stairs are very steep and seem to go on forever, like the ones in the pic behind Neptune`s Island. Then miles further away there was suddenly this giant sculpture of a head, or really just a face and neck.....
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#boboligardens #neptunesisland #reflectionsonwater #giantheadsculpture #parksinflorence #stairsinthepark #stairwaytoheaven #walkinthepark #neptubesculpture #pittipalaceflorence #florenceitaly #florence #florencetrip #solotravelinitaly #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seekandyoushallfind
Pitti Palace was the home of the Medici family, who ruled over Florence for most of thr period from 1434 until 1737. They lived in absolute luxury in this massive Palace with m massive gardens, chandeliers and sculptures are in every room. On the side of the Palace that didn`t look over their gardens, the windows were higher so the peasants couldn`t look in, so they built little stairs to walk up if they wanted to look out.
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#pittipalaceflorence #medici #palazzopitti #palazzopittiflorence #palazzopittimuseum #chandeliers #sculptures #carvedceilings #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #italianhistory
The Martin Place Christmas tree is set up, but I am so over seeing it every year with the red and green beach ball look, surely we can have something different occasionally. Looks great for visitors, but if you live here........same old, same old......
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#martinplace #martinplacechristmastree #sydneycbd #sydneylife #sydney #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #sydneylocal #christmasinsydney #christmasiscoming #sydneylunchtime #fullertonhotelsydney #seetheworldthroughmylens
Walking around the north side of Sydney Harbour - no storms today!! Yet.......
All blue sky and sunshine 🌞 🌞🌞🌞🌞
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#sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyharbourwalks #rockpools #sydneyinsummertime #myhometown #outinthesunshine #blueskyandsubshine #sydneywalks #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything #travellerau #seekandyoushallfind
Postman`s Park, just up St Martin`s le Grand from St Paul`s Cathedral, was a lovely diversion on my long rambling walk through London`s south west east end! It was previously the London GPO, and burial grounds of some of the surrounding churches. It is now home to the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, remembering people who died saving others. Read more about this and the rest of my walk by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
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#postmanspark #postmansparklondon #postmansparkmemorial #londonwalk #walkinthepark #parkbench #historiclondon #london #londonlife #londoncalling #londonhistory #londonparks #londonsights #londontimes #londontravel #londontrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #londonisalwaysagoodidea
Westfield is rolling out Christmas to get everyone in the mood......
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#christmasinsydney #christmasdecorationseverywhere #christmasdecoratingideas #christmasiscoming #christmastrees #christmaslights #christmaslightseverywhere #shoppinginsydney #sydneyshopping #sydneylocal #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydney
The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice in Postmans`s Park in London. People who died saving, or trying to save, others who found themselves in trouble. Click the link to my website in the bio to read about all the other things I found on my walk.
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#postmansparklondon #postmanspark #postmansparkmemorial #heroicselfsacrifice #londonwalks #londonpics #londonsights #londonparks #londoninautumn #londonshistory #london #londontrip #londontimes #londoncalling #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict
The pulpit in Siena Duomo, and the stairs leading up to it, I can`t get over the fact that people have been walking in here for over 1000 years, and I`m one of them🌞
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#siena #sienahistory #sienatravel #sienaitaly #sienaduomo #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #sienatrip #sienaitalia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #italianhistory #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #sienaduomopulpit
Bronze sculpture of Maktao, an orphaned elephant, by Gillie and Marc. He`s playing with the rest of his herd at Spitalfields Market in London. Click on my website link in the bio to find out about all my finds on my long walk in London.
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#maktao #theherdofhope #herdofhope #herdofhopelondon #londonwalks #spitalfields #spitalfieldsmarket #london #londonlife #ifoundparadise #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #londonstreets #londonsbest #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
Happy New Year, above Sydney Harbour!!! Hope 2024 is a good one 🥂🤗
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#happynewyear #sydneyfireworks #bringon2024
Walking up hundreds of steps on a centuries old spiral staircase was a killer, but so worth it for the view from the top of what was going to be the high alter in Siena Duomo, but building stopped in 1339 when the black death wiped out a lot of the population, and it has just stood there like thus for the last 1000 years, it is really high and only about one metre wide!!
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#sienahistory #siena #sienaduomo #sienatravel #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #sienatrip #sienaitalia #viewovertuscany #viewfromthetop #spiralstaircase #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstopexporing #traveltheworldwithme
The amazing building that is the Victoria and Albert Museum, all the white marble at the main entrance with the V & A initials. The second pic is in the cafe amidst the columns, arches and lights.
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#victoriaandalbertmuseum #vandamuseum #whitemarble #vandacafe #bigroundlights #marblecolumns #historicalbuildingsenrichourlives #historicroyalpalaces #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #traveladdict #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #londontimes
Sydney Harbour Bridge doing it`s thing!!🥂
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#happynewyear #bringon2024 #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyharbour
Strolling around the arty area of Venice, Dorsoduro, looking in the windows of some of the galleries, this is a quieter area across Academia Bridge, turn left!!
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#venice #veniceitaly #venicewalks #venicetravel #veniceintherain #venicestreets #venicetrip #veniceart #dorsodura #dorsoduravenezia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #seetheworldthroughmylens #windowshopping #artinvenice #seekandyoushallfind #traveltheworldwithme
The elephant sculptures by Gillie and Marc at Spitalfields Market in London, The Herd of Hope is raising awareness of the plight the elephants face due to poaching and habitat destruction. Go to my website to read more about them, see more pictures and read about my long walk in London. Link in the bio.
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#herdofhope #herdofhopelondon #spitalfields #spitalfieldsmarket #gillieandmarcart #gillieandmarc #artinthestreets #artinpublicplaces #sculptureart #sculptureoftheday #elephantsofinstagram #elephantfamily #londontrip #londontravel #londonwalks #selfguidedwalk #solotravelinlondon #explorelondon #london #traveladdict
Spencer House in St James`s, London, is the home built by Diana`s ancestors so they has a place in the city as well as Althorp House where Diana grew up. Both houses are owned by Diana`s brother, the current Earl Spencer.
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#spencerhouse #spencerhouselondon #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #chandeliers #columns #statues #palmroom #stjamess #londonlocals #london #londonwalks #londontravel #londontrip #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #seekandyoushallfind #solotravel
And all of this, along with everything in the previous pic all needs to fit into this suitcase.....hmmm!!!
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#packing #tripovertoitaly #tripovertolondon #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #howwillitallfit #howwillitallfitinmycase #traveladdict
Looking into the Piccadilly Arcade from the Jermyn Street end, all lit up in its Christmas finery!!
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#piccadillyarcade #piccadillyarcadelondon #jermynstreetlondon #dandystyle #christmasinlondon #christmaslightseverywhere #christmaslights #christmasready #christmasdecoratingideas #christmasiscoming #london #londonlife #londontravel #londonwalks #londonstyle #traveltheworldwithme
The next place I came across was London Museum, but sadly it was "temporarily closed", but this horse sculpture was outside. Oh well, keep walking to see what`s around the next corner.....see the map of my walk and read about all the places I found along the way by clicking the link in the bio.
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#londontravel #londonmuseum #london #londonwalks #londonlife #londontrip #londoncalling #horsesculpture #artinpublicspaces #neverstopexploring #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #londonart #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveladdict #travellerau #traveltheworldwithme
In the main square of Florence, Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio with the Torre di Arnolfo rising from above it, and next to Palazzo Vecchio is Loggia dei Lanzi, full of sculptures from Florence`s history.
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#palazzovecchiofirenze #palazzovecchioflorence #loggiadeilanzi #michelangelosdavidreplica #perseusfirenze #perseuswithmedusashead #piazzadellasignoria #florenceitaly #florencetrip #florencewalk #florencetravel #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #solotrip #solotravelinitaly
My walk continued down Aldersgate St where I came across this lovely old building, Ironmongers Hall, and next door with a complete change of architectural style, the Barbican......click the link to my website in the bio to read about my walk, there is a map so you can find all these places too.
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#ironmongershall #barbican #barbicancentre #londonarchitecture #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historiclondon #londonwalks #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #
Christmas lights on South Molton St in London.
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#london #christmaslightseverywhere #christmasinlondon🎄 #londontravel #southmoltonstreet #londonwalks #londonlife #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorationseverywhere #christmaslights #christmasready #londonwalks #bluechristmaslights
The streets of Siena, some are flat, or flattish, they undulate with the terrain they were built on centuries ago, some are steep slopes, some are steep steps, some are a combination three, but all are interesting...
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#sienahistory #sienatravel #siena #sienaitaly #sienatrip #sienaitalia #sienastreets #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italianhistory #italytravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #traveltheworldwithme #travelinitaly
After climbing up about 70 to 80 steps on a really narrow stone spiral staircase you are up near the dome of the Siena Duomo, from there you get a whole different view looking down into the Cathedral, and up inside the dome.
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#siena #sienahistory #sienatravel #sienaitaly #sienaduomo #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #sienatrip #sienaitalia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #insidethedome #upintherafters #viewfromthetop #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #italytravel #italytrip #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Another reptile looking over a rock to check out the surf at Manly Beach in Sydney.
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#lizardonarock #lizardofinstagram #lizardlife #reptile #manlybeachaustralia #manlybeach #sydneybeaches #sydneybythesea #sydneyweekend #sydneylocal #myhometown #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywalks #sydneynative
Walking around Kirribilli on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, between storms!! What`s going on with the weather these days???
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#kirribilli #milsonspoint #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyoperahouseaustralia #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #palmtrees #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #northsydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #myhometown #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme
The Alfresco Emporium at the QVB, all Christmas ready 🎄!!
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#alfrescoemporium #alfrescoemporiumqvb #alfrescoemporiumchristmas #queenvictoriabuilding #christmastrees #christmasinsydney #christmasdecorations #shoppinginsydney #windowshopping #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydney #sydneylife #seetheworldthroughmylens
Looking out of the windows at Pitti Palace into Boboli Gardens where the rulers of Florence once lived.
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#pittipalaceflorence #boboligardens #florenceitaly #florencetrip #florencewalk #florence #florencetravel #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
This is Porcellino, the bronze pig next to the New Market. Rubbing his nose brings you good fortune, so it is polished to a high shine from all the fortune seekers over the years. There is a replica of Porcellino on Macquarie Street in Sydney, so I`ll check in on my fortune when I get home!!
Second pic is the end of the Uffizi Gallery, down by the River Arno, the top floor is the Vasari Corridor, built so the Medici could walk from here, across Ponte Vecchio to Pitti Palace without having to put up with the stench from the butchers shops that used to be on the bridge, and not have to walk with the peasants.....it is being made ready for visitors, but will not be open until May 2024.....oh well, it looks like I`ll have to come back to Florence one day 🌞
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#florence #florenceitaly #florencetrip #florencetravel #porcellinofirenze #porcellino #uffizigallery #vasaricorridor #florencewalk #travelinitaly #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #neverstopexplroring #goodfortune #rubthepigsnoseforgoodluck #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict
This whatever it is reptile was just standing on a rock happily watching everyone walking by at Cremorne Point in Sydney. Lizards things are not my favourites, but hey, I was visiting their home. Hopefully they understand, I am not returning the favour!!
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#reptilesofinstagram #reptile #lizardofinstagram #lizardonarock #sydneynatives #sydneywildlife #cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint #watchingyou #sydneylocal #sydneywalks #sydneyweekend #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #neverstopexploring
The old dock yards converted into rows of town houses and canals, so close to the busy centre of London, but so quiet. That`s Tower Bridge in the background of one of the first pic. I`m so pleased I just kept walking that day with no plan, just looking to see what I could find. Follow along and read about my long walk by clicking the link to my website.
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#stkatherinesdock #londoncanals #downbytheriver #towerbridge #livinginparadise #londontravel #londonlife #londonlocals #london #solotravelinlondon #longwalk #londontrip #londonhistory #londonwalks #londoncalling #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
One of the beautiful gardens on the harbourside walk around Cremorne Point.
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#cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint #palm #palmtree #australiannativeplants #rockwall #gardenideas #federationhousesofaustralia #harboursidewalks #sydneyweekend #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydney #sydneyinsummertime #sydneyharbourwalks #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Inside Siena Duomo, amazing to think it was built over 1000 years ago, and is still standing in original condition. You can pretty much guarantee that there will be nothing built today that will still be standing in 1000 years!!
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#siena #sienaduomo #sienatrip #sienaitaly #sienahistory #italytravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #seekandyoushallfind #blackandwhitemarble #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy
